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Sports Briefs

■ Ice hockey
Penguins snap up Malkin
The Pittsburgh Penguins signed forward Evgeni Malkin to his first NHL contract on Tuesday, giving the prized rookie a three-year deal worth at least US$3 million. The contract will pay the 20-year-old US$984,200 in base salary each season, and also offers incentives that could be worth as much as US$2.85 million per year. "His dream was to come to Pittsburgh and start his career in the NHL, and he had to go through a lot in the last couple of weeks to achieve that," Pittsburgh owner Mario Lemieux told reporters.

■ Rugby Union
NZ pair get contracts
Experienced utility forward Jono Gibbes and center Conrad Smith have extended their contracts with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU). Gibbes, who has played eight tests, has signed up with the NZRU until 2009 and Smith, who missed most of this year's Super 14 campaign with a broken leg, until 2008. "Jono is a loyal person and highly regarded as a player and a leader," NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew said in a statement yesterday. "His contribution to rugby in this country has been exceptional. "We're also happy that Conrad has re-signed," Tew added.

■ soccer
Chinese player mugged
Shenzhen Kingway soccer player Lu Bofei was resting in hospital yesterday after being stabbed in the arms and thigh in an apparent mugging attempt. Lu, a midfielder with of the Chinese Super League team, was crossing a pedestrian overpass alone in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen when two men approached him from behind with knives, said a club official, who gave just his surname, Li. Lu, who was reportedly carrying a large amount of cash, fled but was caught and stabbed. He staggered down the steps where he was discovered by a passerby, Li said. "We don't have much information, but his condition is stable and the injury is not fatal," Li said.

■ Grand Prix
Refund for fans if Button wins
Formula One fans in Britain will be offered a £50 (US$95) refund if home favorite Jenson Button wins next year's British Grand Prix at Silverstone, organizers have said. The 26-year-old Honda driver won his first Grand Prix in Hungary last month, sparking hopes he could one day become a world champion. Now organizers are hoping to cash in on the feel-good factor surrounding British F1 by offering the unprecedented refund for the race on July 8 next year. "Jenson [Button] and David Coulthard always have great support at the British Grand Prix but this offer to refund £50 if Jenson wins should ensure they get even more support," said Richard Phillips, director for the Silverstone circuit.

■ Basketball
Cavs sign David Wesley
The Cleveland Cavaliers added a veteran presence to complement young superstar LeBron James on Tuesday, signing free agent David Wesley. Wesley, 35, spent last season -- his 13th in the NBA -- with the Houston Rockets, averaging 9.9 points, 2.9 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 71 games. "David adds a wealth of experience and professionalism to our team," Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry said. The Cavaliers hope that experience will come through in the playoffs. The second undrafted player in NBA history to score over 11,000 points, along with Moses Malone, Wesley has averaged 12.9 points, 4.5 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 914 career games with the New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics, Charlotte and New Orleans Hornets and the Rockets.

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